Smart rewards incentive system, client tools for implementing a smart rewards incentive system, and analytics engine

ABSTRACT

A server based system and method for hosting an incentive creation, administration, distribution, management, and analytics system. The server may allow a client via a client management portal to create and manage a campaign that may include a variety of dynamic rewards geared specifically to specific consumer groups. In these embodiments, users may be presented with the dynamic rewards via a presentation device which may be a user device or a client device. The presentation device may include a facilitator application for presenting the offer to the user. The dynamic rewards may have terms that change over time based on factors such as end user input, environmental factors, sharing of the reward, trading the reward, expiration date extensions, etc.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/092,682 which was filed on Dec. 16, 2014, the contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The disclosed embodiments relate to incentive systems. Morespecifically, the disclosed embodiments relate to server-based incentivesystems for presenting offers to users, for managing, directing andadministering the distribution, tracking and redemption of the offersand rewards, and for analyzing the results of these campaigns tocontinually improve the campaigns' effectiveness.

2. Related Art

Organizations often use incentives to entice their target audience tobehave in a specific way. This can be seen in all walks of life acrossmany different types of organizations: from incentivizing customers tobuy goods or services, to incentivizing employees to suggest new productideas or hit sales or production milestones, to incentivizing donors tocontribute money or resources by a certain date, to incentivizingstudents to perform at a certain academic level, to incentivizingpatients to comply with their physician's recommendations, etc. Theseincentives, or offers, require the organization to dedicate significanteffort and resources toward trying to strike the right balance betweensomething that is appealing to its target audience, while stillbeneficial to the organization (e.g. something that doesn't cost toomuch money or hurt the organization in any way).

This balance is difficult to achieve. Users often ignore or decline theoffers presented by the organization for countless reasons. For example,users may not be interested in rewards that are being presented—whetherthey be products, services, recognition, or other some other benefit—towhich the offers relate because the users do not see the benefit orvalue in pursuing the rewards. Users may also forget about the offers,get confused by the offer rules, decide that participating isn't worththeir effort, and so on. As a result, a large portion of the people whosee such offers that organizations present choose not to participate inthe offers or redeem their rewards. Thus there is a need fororganizations to present offers and rewards that more effectively compelpeople to participate in pursuing the redemption of the rewards offered.

SUMMARY

The disclosed embodiments have been developed in light of the above, andsome aspects of the invention may include a server that hosts anincentive creation, administration, distribution, management, andanalytics system. In certain embodiments, the server allows a client viaa client management portal to create and manage a campaign that mayinclude a variety of offers and rewards geared specifically to specificconsumer groups. In these embodiments, users may be presented with theoffers and rewards via a presentation device which may be a user deviceor a client device. The presentation device may include a facilitatorapplication for presenting the offer to the user.

The offers and rewards issued by the organization are either ignored,rejected or accepted by the user, and may be tracked by the server. Theserver may track various information related to the organization'soffers including user information, information on offer terms,expiration of the offer, redemption of the reward, and so forth. In someembodiments, the system may allow the client to adjust virtually anyvariable governing how the offer and reward are presented, distributed,tracked and used.

In certain embodiments, the system may track the offers and rewards andthen report certain analytics to the client concerning the campaign,allowing the client to adjust the offer and campaigns as needed. In someembodiments, the client may pre-determine which analytics it wantsreported. Additionally, the server may automatically update a clientcampaign based on the reported analytics.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a method of presenting adynamic reward to an end user is provided. The method may be carried outon a server based system comprising a processor, at least one memorycomprising machine-readable instructions for execution by the processor,and one or more sensors. The method may include issuing at the server auniquely identified dynamic reward. The reward is set to include termssuch as a number of redemptions, a time period in which the reward maybe redeemed, and transferability criteria. The method monitors thereward to determine whether the reward has been redeemed, and when thereward is redeemed, the number of redemptions available on the reward isdecreased.

The method also may include monitoring the reward to determine whetherthe time period in which the reward may be redeemed is expired andinvalidating the number of redemptions when the reward is determined tobe expired. Further, the method may comprise monitoring the reward todetermine whether the reward the transferability criteria of the rewardhave been met. When the criteria have been met, the reward may betransferred from the end user.

In some embodiments, when the reward is transferred, the reward istraded for a second, similarly priced reward available for issuance bythe server. In other embodiments, the reward is traded for a secondreward issued to a second end user. In still other embodiments, thereward is shared with one or more second end users. The reward may beshared by sharing one or more of the number of redemptions with one ormore second end users. The reward may also be shared by duplicating oneor more redemptions with one or more second end users. In this instance,the duplicating may or may not be limited to a predetermined number ofduplications.

In other embodiments, the reward may be issued by the server through atleast one of email, SMS messaging, Bluetooth, and NFC. In someinstances, the server may transmit one or more messages to the end userholding the reward. Such messages may comprises a notificationconcerning an expiration date of the reward.

In other embodiments, the reward may further comprise terms formodifying the reward after the reward is issued. The reward may bemonitored and at least one of a value, the number of redemptions, thetime period in which the reward may be redeemed, and the transferabilitycriteria may be modified based on the terms for modifying the rewardbeing satisfied. The terms for modifying the reward may include datafrom the one or more sensors being within a predetermined threshold. Asanother possibility, the terms for modifying the reward may include oneor more inputs provided by the end user. For example, the inputsprovided by the end user may comprise a response to a question presentedby the server, a result of a game played by the user via a presentationdevice, and/or an indication to share the reward.

In additional embodiments of the invention, an incentive based campaignmanagement system is provided. The System may include a servercomprising a processor and at least one memory. The server may beconfigured to present application programming interfaces to a clientpresentation device. The application programming interfaces may includetools to manage one or more incentive based campaigns. The systemfurther comprises a rules database with one or more memories comprisingmodules for including in an incentive based campaign, and a historicalsystems database with one or more memories storing historical outcomesof incentive based campaigns.

The server may execute program instructions which cause the server toreceive input from a client presentation device via one of theapplication programming interfaces to create a set of campaignsincluding one or more incentives. The server may also receive a requestfrom an end user to access the one or more campaigns, and receive datafrom one or more environmental and demographic sensors concerning anenvironment and a demographic of the end user. Based on the informationreceived, the server may determine whether any of the one or morecampaigns meets predetermined environmental and demographic thresholds.When the environmental and demographic thresholds are met, the servermay present a campaign to the end user via an end user presentationdevice.

In some embodiments, the user, via the client presentation device, mayadd a game, a question, a reward, and/or third party embedded contentstored on a third party data source database via the applicationprogramming interfaces. The server may present the reward to the enduser presentation device upon receiving a completion of the game and/oran answering of the question from the end user presentation device. Insome embodiments, the client presentation device and the end userpresentation device comprise a kiosk, a personal computer, a mobilecomputing device, a point of sale system, and/or digital signage.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, an incentive based campaignmanagement system is provided. The system may comprise a server with aprocessor and at least one memory. The server may be configured topresent application programming interfaces to a client presentationdevice. The application programming interfaces may include tools tomanage one or more dynamic rewards. The system may further comprise arules database with one or more memories comprising modules forincluding in the dynamic rewards and a historical systems database withone or more memories storing historical outcomes of redemptions ofdynamic rewards.

The server may store program instructions which when executed cause theserver to receive input from a client presentation device via one of theapplication programming interfaces to create a set of dynamic rewards,receive a request from an end user to access one or more dynamic rewardsof the set of dynamic rewards, and receive data from one or moreenvironmental and demographic sensors concerning an environment and ademographic of the end user. Based on the information received, theserver may determine whether any of the dynamic rewards meetspredetermined environmental and demographic thresholds. The server mayalso determine a hierarchy of dynamic rewards based on an optimalredemption rate. When the environmental and demographic thresholds aremet, the server presents a campaign based on the hierarchy to the enduser via an end user presentation device.

In some embodiments, the hierarchy is determined by a number of factorsincluding a time of day, a time of week, a month, a current temperature,a likely demographic of a detected user, a number of potential detectedusers, an amount of traffic in a nearby area, and/or past performance ofdynamic rewards in similar conditions.

Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will beor will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination ofthe following figures and detailed description. Furthermore, thefeatures and advantages of the invention may be learned by the practiceof the invention. It is intended that all such additional systems,methods, features and advantages be included within this description, bewithin the scope of the invention. The described embodiments are to beconsidered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a server-based smart incentive system according to oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a process of creating and displaying one or more campaignsin a smart incentive system according to one embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary application programming interface for creatingand editing a campaign in a smart incentive system according to oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary application programming interface for managinga plurality of campaigns in a smart incentive system according to oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary application programming interface for managingthird party embedded content for a campaign in a smart incentive systemaccording to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary application programming interface for managinggame content for a campaign in a smart incentive system according to oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary application programming interface for managinga plurality of questions utilized in a smart incentive system accordingto one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary application programming interface for creatingand editing a question utilized in a smart incentive system according toone embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary application programming interface forembedding one or more questions for a campaign in a smart incentivesystem according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 shows a process of creating and displaying one or more rewardsin a smart incentive system according to one embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 11 shows an exemplary application programming interface formanaging a plurality of rewards utilized in a smart incentive systemaccording to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 shows an exemplary application programming interface forcreating and editing a reward utilized in smart incentive systemaccording to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 shows an exemplary application programming interface forembedding one or more rewards for a campaign in a smart incentive systemaccording to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 shows a process of issuing and tracking smart rewards in a smartincentive system according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 15 shows exemplary system architecture that may be utilized in asmart incentive system according to one exemplary embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 16 shows exemplary mobile device architecture that may be utilizedin a smart incentive system according to one exemplary embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 17 is an exemplary process flow of implementing a smart incentivesystem.

The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasisinstead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding partsthroughout the different views.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of a server-based smart incentive system with facilitatingclient tools and analytics will be discussed below. The disclosedembodiments provide systems that effectively promote offers to userssuch that users may associate a value with the offer, be more likely toredeem the offer and may be more likely to redeem additional offers fromthe organization, including those that have been customized either to auser, user group or situation. The systems described combine randomizedand pre-determination algorithms, configuration and rules-basedcalculations, software running on remote servers, and client softwarerunning on connected local devices. This disclosure is intended toprovide a general description of certain exemplary embodiments and isnot meant to be exhaustive. One skilled in the art will appreciate thatthe invention may be embodied by a variety of configurations.

It is often the case that when a user has fun in order to obtain anoffer, the user is more likely to participate in the offer and toremember to redeem the reward. Thus, in one embodiment, a server-basedincentive system may incorporate gamification tactics or actual gameswhen presenting an offer to a user. In some embodiments, these gamesmight include point of sale games for tablets, computers, smartphones,kiosks or digital signage. In certain embodiments, the user may playgames to win rewards that are immediately redeemable, redeemable in thefuture or even to receive mystery prizes to incentivize the user to comeback to the store at a later time. When the user then receives thereward, the user may feel that he or she has earned the reward as aresult of the game. Because the user then sees the offer as a prize thathe or she has earned, the user is more likely to redeem the offer.

The disclosed embodiments provide systems and methods whereby anorganization may administer or manage campaigns, track and modify offersin real time, and evaluate the effectiveness of the various offers andrewards issued. In this manner, the organization can increase theeffectiveness of its offers and rewards to more effectively inspireusers to participate in the offers and redeem the rewards in highernumbers as compared to traditional techniques.

FIG. 1 shows a server-based smart incentive system according to oneembodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a smart incentivessystem 100 may include a server 102 that hosts a smart rewards systems.The remote server includes one or more processors, memories such and RAMand ROM, and communication ports. The server may store and provideaccess to a number of application program interfaces with which a numberof incentive campaigns, rewards, and other incentives may be created,managed, and distributed.

The server 102 may be connected via a network 140 such as the Internet,a LAN, WAN, or other network to a plurality of information databases.The databases may include a rules database 104 that stores a pluralityof rules associated with campaigns, offers, and rewards that may bepresented and configured at the server 102. A historical system database106 may store information resulting from implementation and results of avarious campaigns, redemption of rewards, and the like, as will bedescribed in more detail below. Such historical information may be usedto improve later developed campaigns.

The server 102 may also be connected to a third party data sourcedatabase. This database may comprise data from third parties includingdata concerning client products or services, price data, or otherrelevant data necessary for created a campaign, reward, or otherincentives at the server 102.

The server 102 and databases 104, 106, and 108, may be connected via thenetwork to one or more sensors 110. The sensors 110 may collectinformation concerning an environment in which a campaign is to bepresented. For example, the sensors may include thermometers, humiditysensors, infrared sensors, luminosity sensors, timers, clocks, and thelike. Sensors 110 may also include devices to capture demographicinformation concerning an end user such as microphone or cameras.

The server 102 is configured to present application program interfacesand other tools to a client to create and manage a campaign or otherincentive program. The client may access the server via a clientpresentation device 112 connected to the server 102 via the network.Furthermore, the server 102 may present campaigns, offers, rewards, orother incentives to an end user via a hosting server 116 that relaysinformation to an end user presentation device 114. The presentationdevices 112, 114 may be any number of suitable computing devices such asdesktops, laptops, and mobile devices such as cell phones and tabletcomputing devices. The presentation devices 112, 114 may present thecontent to the client or end user via an application or a web browserrunning on the presentation devices 112, 114.

It is noted that the system 100 described above is exemplary and otherimplementations are also considered within the scope of the invention.For example, the databases 104, 106, 108 may be housed on a singledevice or multiple devices. The server 102 and host server 116 may beincorporated on a single server, or there may be multiple serversconnected via the network to implement the system.

The system 100 hosted by the servers 102, 116 and accessed by theclients 112 and users 114 can be considered to have a number of modulesthat are implemented by hardware, software, or a combination of the two.Such systems include a campaign management portal through which clientsmay create, administer and manage a campaign. For example, through thecampaign management portal, clients may extend offers, and in someinstances, extend offers that are customized to specific users or usergroups through one or more campaigns. Other systems may include afacilitator application which may be downloaded on a client's or auser's device 112, 114 or may be accessed via a website hosted on theserver 102. Further systems include a smart incentive system in whichoffers and rewards have a plurality of features that may encourage auser to associate higher value with the offers and rewards. Finally, thesystems may include an analytics engine whereby offers and theredemption of rewards are tracked and new insights are inferred bysystem to improve the organization while continually creatingincreasingly effective offers. Each of these will be discussed in moredetail below.

Campaign Management Portal

The campaign management portal provides an interface where clients ofthe system may login to create, administer, manage, update, and optimizetheir ongoing campaign efforts. The campaign management portal can behosted in the cloud, for example on a website hosted by the server 102,or it may be installed by the client locally on a computing device 112,or it can be hosted by any other method generally known to those ofskill in the art. The campaign management portal may include a numberfeatures that allow the client to manage their ongoing campaign effortsas described below.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary method of managing one or more campaigns via thecampaign management portal. In step 202, the client or administrator isauthenticated on the campaign management portal. The client may accessthe campaign management portal via a secure user authentication. Useraccount information including passwords may be stored and encrypted onthe remote server 102. In one embodiment, an authentication module mayuse OAuth2 token based authentication. Further, a second method ofauthentication may also be invoked such as authorization via a secondarydevice or via biometric data.

Various client accounts may include various roles and permissions forpersons accessing the system on behalf of the client. User accounts maybe segmented by clients to have associated roles and permissions whichallow certain features to be accessible to certain users. Roles andpermissions may be altered by system administrators for clients, and forfacilitators by client administrators. Roles can allow or deny access tofinancial information, campaign configuration, analytics reports, usermanagement, PIN management, and other system features.

System administrators may have access to manage client user accounts,manage feature access for individual clients, have access to system logsand error information, and the ability to send and receive notificationsand alerts about the system. Via a system administration dashboard, realtime data is displayed for administrators of the system in order tomonitor errors, usage logs, and potential abuse.

Once the client user has been authenticated, the client may beingmanagement by creating a campaign or a set of campaigns in step 204. Thecampaigns may include various marketing campaigns for differentdemographic target groups, sales promotions, work incentives, or thelike. In step 206, elements for the one or more campaigns in thecampaign set are configured to be presented to the end user.

An example of a campaign management portal interface 300 includingmanageable elements of a campaign is shown in FIG. 3. In someembodiments, the elements of a campaign may include start and end dates302, 304, various fields 306 to describe the campaign, questions 308 tosolicit feedback or to gather demographic information during a campaign,embedded content 310 (such as stored on a third part data sourcedatabase 108) for adding personalized content to the campaign, games312, and rewards 314. Additional elements of a campaign may also bemanageable via the portal 300 such as a campaign image 316 and terms andconditions 318 governing the campaign. Other aspects of the campaign mayalso be controlled via portal 300 such as rules for presenting theparticular campaign to an end user. Such rules may be based on outcomesof selected questions 308 or games 312, or may also be based on otherfactors such as detected environment and demographic information.

The portal 300 may allow a client to manage multiple campaigns. FIG. 4shows an example of a campaign management portal interface 400 includinga plurality of manageable campaigns. In FIG. 4, one of a plurality ofcampaigns 402 may be selected to manage as explained above. Thecampaigns 402 may be categorized or include tags 404 to facilitateorganization. Further, the campaigns may be searchable to aid a clientto easily find a desired campaign.

As mentioned above, the campaign management portal may manage embeddedcontent from third party sources. An example of a campaign managementportal interface 500 for embedding third-party content is shown in FIG.5. In FIG. 5, various fields 502 may be included to provide adescription of the embedded content. An address field 504 may allow aclient to input an address, such as a URL, and IP address, or filelocation on a database, so that the third-party content may be retrievedto be embedded with the campaign.

An example of a campaign management portal interface 600 for managingone or more games to include in a campaign is shown in FIG. 6. In FIG.6, a selected title 602 of a game may be managed and customized for aparticular campaign. In this example, a “scratch off” game has beenselected. A number of fields 604 are provided to customize the title anddescription of the games. Various game elements 606 such as music,graphics, backgrounds, etc. may also be customized via the interface600.

A campaign management portal may also include a question bank managementinterface 700 as shown in FIG. 7. Here, the interface 700 may include aplurality of questions 702 that may be included to be presented to anend user during a campaign. The interface also provides the client withan option to add a new question 704 to the bank of questions. Questionsmay include one or more tags 706 to allow for categorization. Theinterface 700 may also include a preview button 708 to allow a client topreview on of the questions 702.

When a question from the interface 700 is selected, or when a newquestion button 704 is created, the campaign management portal mayprovide a question editor interface 800, as shown in FIG. 8, to createor edit the question. The question editor interface 800 may includevarious fields 802 for inputting question text, menus and controls 804for selecting question types (multiple choice, ratings, select from agroup, etc.). Fields 804 may be used to tag and categorize the questionto be able to retrieve the question later.

In some embodiments, a campaign management portal may include a questionmanagement interface 900 as shown in FIG. 9. The question managementinterface 900 may allow a user to format one or more questions within aparticular campaign. The interface 900 may provide fields 902 to titleand provide descriptions of the one or more questions presented. Theclient may build the one or more questions from a question list 904having a plurality of available questions 905, such as those created inthe question bank management portal interface 900 (FIG. 7). Selectedquestions 906 may be identified to be provided to the end user during acampaign.

Returning to FIG. 2, once elements for various campaigns have beenconfigured by the client, the process proceeds to step 208. In step 208,a request is received from an end user to access one or campaigns from acampaign set. For example, an end user may access a website, conduct atransaction at a point of sale system, or otherwise be in a position inwhich one or more campaigns may be presented to the end user.

According to some embodiments, when the end the user is in a position tobe presented with one or more campaigns, the system receives datacorresponding to one or more environmental conditions or demographicinformation in step 210. That is, the system may receive informationprovided by one or more environmental or demographic sensors. Suchsensors may include thermometers, humidity sensors, luminosity sensors,clocks, timers, cameras, microphones, infrared cameras, or the like. Thesensors provide information concerning an environment of the end user aswell as demographic information concerning the end user. In addition tosensors, such information may be input to the system, such as viafeedback from the end user or other sources.

In step 212, the system determines whether any active campaigns from thecampaign set are within predetermined environmental thresholds. If so,the system also determines whether any active campaigns are withinpredetermined demographic thresholds in step 214. If either step 212 or214 results in no campaigns being within the predetermined thresholds,then no campaign is presented to the end user at that time in step 216.The process than returns to step 208 for the next possible presentationof a campaign.

When a campaign is identified within the environmental and demographicthresholds, the system selects a campaign from the set of campaignsbased on an ordered hierarchy in step 218. The hierarchy of campaignsmay be selected based on any number of criteria. The selected campaignis then displayed to the end user via a user presentation device in step220.

As an example, one of the campaigns may be for a hot beverage product.The campaign may have predetermined thresholds such as for a given timeof day when there is a cool ambient temperature. Further, the particularcampaign may target females with an approximate age of 20-35. When therequest for a campaign is received, the system may receive temperatureinformation from a thermometer and demographic information via a cameraand facial recognition software to determine whether to present thecampaign for a hot beverage product to females of the approximate age of20-35.

Transactional data may be integrated with client financial systems. Userbehavior over the course of a campaign—such as reward redemptions, timeand location data, and associated transactions—may be tracked in realtime by the remote server. At regular intervals, this data is exportedautomatically to separate financial tracking software. The export of thedata is managed by a system module that will retry upon failure, andcomply with any regulatory financial tracking requirements. The hardwareand software for this regular data transport may include queueingmodules and multi-threaded runtime environments.

In one embodiment of the campaign management portal, there is anexternal qualifying code generator. This gives system administrators andclient administrators the ability to generate one or several codes thatwill allow physically “nonqualified” users to participate in a givencampaign. This may be necessary in some campaign situations to complywith Sweepstakes Law in various states. The codes may be exported fordistribution by the administrator.

In another embodiment, the campaign management portal includes a returnon investment calculator. Based on configured reward values, rewardallocation ratios, prior redemption rates, and assumed redemption rates,the system can present to the client estimations of ROI given theclient's proposed dynamic campaign configuration. With enough prior datain historical aggregation, the system may also provide recommendationson reward and campaign configuration in order to maximize effectiveness.It is particularly beneficial to access the historically aggregated datain an efficient, real-time query; therefore, indexing and datawarehousing software modules may be implemented on the remote server.

Reward Management

In some embodiments, the campaign management portal allows clients tomanage all aspects of the rewards that are offered during the course ofa campaign. For example, cost data including wholesale, retail, andother cost data is stored along with the reward entity on the remoteserver. In certain embodiments, optional integration with the client'sPOS or inventory system will keep SKUs and values in sync. Further,initial reward inventory values can be set by administrators in order toensure allocation of rewards does not exceed physical or virtualinventory. Again, optional integration with the client's POS orinventory system will keep SKUs and values in sync.

The rewards may further be dynamically labeled for the purpose ofgrouping elements together in reporting and exporting functions. Thereward delivery options, that is, the ability to deliver rewards viamultiple channels is also configurable on the remote server. Rewardconfiguration can be duplicated using a single push of a button,allowing for similar rewards to be easily and efficiently created.

FIG. 10 shows an exemplary process of reward management and presenting areward to an end user. In step 1002, a client administratorauthenticates on the campaign management portal to manage one or morerewards or reward sets. In step 1004, the client creates a set ofrewards. An example of a set of rewards in a campaign management portalinterface is shown in FIG. 11. In FIG. 11, a plurality of rewards 1102are listed. The rewards may be used as a part of a campaign. Rewards1102 may be selected from the interface 1100 for editing. Further, abutton 1104 or option for creating new rewards or reward sets isprovided in the interface 1100.

Returning to FIG. 10, in step 1006, the system receives input toconfigure rules for reward inclusion in a campaign. As shown in FIG. 12,the campaign management portal may include an interface 1200 with fields1202 to describe the reward including name, abbreviate name,description, and the like. The interface may have various rulecontrollers 1204. Such controls allow the client to dictate how often areward is presented, when it is presented, the value of the reward,demographic and environmental thresholds for presenting the reward, andthe like.

The interface 1200 may further include menus 1206 for delivery optionsinclude paper or printed, email, SMS, and the like. Images 1208 may alsobe associated with a reward. The various rewards to be included in aparticular campaign may be managed within one or more campaigns via acampaign reward management interface 1300 as shown in FIG. 13. Thecampaign reward management interface 1300 includes a list of availablerewards 1302 that may be included in a campaign. The selected rewardsmay be managed in a selected rewards management interface 1304. Here,the selected reward 1306 is shown with either a quantity 1308 orpercentage 1310 available for that particular reward in a campaign. Inthis manner, a client may control the how often different rewards arepresented during a given campaign.

Returning to FIG. 10, in step 1008 a request is received to issue areward to an end user as part of a campaign. In step 1010, the systemdetermines whether rewards in the campaign, if any, meet environmentalthresholds. In step 1012, the system determines whether rewards in thecampaign, if any, meet demographic thresholds. In steps 1010 and 1012,if no rewards in a campaign meet the thresholds, then no rewards arepresented and the process ends. In step 1014, the system prioritizes therewards meeting the thresholds based on optimal redemption rates as wellas other factors and rules set forth as explained above. The highestpriority award is then assigned to be presented to the end user in step1016.

Questions and Games Management

In some embodiments, the campaign management portal allows clients tooffer one of the rewards when users answer the above described questionsor participate in an interactive activity (such as survey questions,trivia questions, voting questions, personal information questions,point of sale games, etc.) thus enabling the user to feel as though heor she has earned the reward as payment for answering the question(s),participating in a game, or otherwise engaging with the offer in thedesired manner through some kind of action. These questions andactivities may be managed via the campaign management portal. Questionsmay be typed (e.g. Multiple Choice, True/False, etc.) and stored on theremote server. Rendering and presentation of the question may be alteredbased on this typing. For some question types, the remote server willallow the client to predetermine answer choices in order to allow theuser to select from a list of options. Rendering and presentation of thequestion may be altered based on these answer choices.

Certain predetermined questions may be tagged for special treatment bythe server, allowing the answers that are provided by the user to beencrypted before being stored, never being stored, or being transmittedautomatically to a 3^(rd) party system.

Questions may also be dynamically labeled for the purpose of groupingelements together in reporting and exporting functions. On the remoteserver, question configuration can be duplicated using a single push ofa button, allowing for similar questions to be easily and efficientlycreated.

Campaign Management

The campaign management portal further allows a client to manage generalaspects and have overall control of a campaign. For example, the clientmay place time constraints on a particular reward or campaign by timebounding. In this manner, campaigns may be bound by starting and endingdates or starting and ending times of day, allowing for priorconfiguration and automated launch.

Campaigns may be linked together by a virtual mapping, allowing certainvariables to be tested by random presentation of one campaign againstanother to a user in an A/B test. The remote server determines therandom determination and tracks which campaign was presented to whichuser, and the subsequent tracking which follows that user to rewardredemption.

The campaign management portal allows a client to set and modify rewardqualifier definitions. That is, the qualification requirement that mustbe met by the user may be stored on the remote server and communicatedto the user device upon presentation to the user. Additionally, for somequalifications, the system may enforce compliance with the requirement.Further, as with reward and question management, campaigns can bedynamically labeled for the purpose of grouping elements together inreporting and exporting functions.

The campaign management portal further allows a client to manage themanner in which various rewards, and associated events that are part ofa campaign are presented to the users. For example, the server 102 mayinclude a randomization engine with configurable allocations forselecting rewards. One or more rewards may be added to a campaign andmay be configured to be awarded in any allocation ratio as chosen by theclient. The presentation engine of the system handles all variations ofthe allocation definition. The randomization engine ensures that theallocation requirements are met over time. It is preferable for therandomization engine to assure historical accuracy based on the client'sconfiguration of offer distributions; therefore server-based indexes andtracking modules may be implemented.

The server may further prioritize certain rewards over others, forexample, when presented after a game. In some scenarios, the renderingorder of rewards is important in the presentation of a game interface,in which case this sequence is stored on the remote server and enforcedby the presentation engine.

The campaign management portal similarly manages questions and theformatting of the questions that are selected to be presented to a user.For example, the questions may be optimized for different screendisplays. That is, the questions may be rendered differently ondifferent screen sizes and resolutions, while taking into account thequestion type and the method of user input. The questions may beselected randomly from a subset survey pool. For example, questions maybe configured in a collection, and a chosen number of the questions maybe randomly selected for presentation by the system.

The campaign management portal further allows a client to set up andmanage game configurations that may be incorporated in the presentationof an offer to a user. Such game configurations may be predefined withinthe campaign management portal, or may be customizable to fit anindividual client's preferences. In some embodiments, the gameconfigurations may be customized in real-time depending on the actionsof the user. For example, the campaign management portal includes anumber of game templates. The game templates may have configurable soundeffects, background music, graphic assets, names, descriptions, andlogos available for inclusion in campaigns by the client. Games may beconfigured to be presented sequentially before or after otherinteractions, and may be either the only or one of many methods withinthe campaign to determine a reward or reward set for the user.

Game variables are configurable via web browsers and stored on theremote server. In cases where the graphic assets need to be downloadedto a remote device, asset bundles are automatically prepared by theremote server and packaged for efficient transport and version control.It is preferable for a large amount of storage be made available on theremote server to handle the cataloguing and versioning of these graphicassets.

In other embodiments, embedded user interfaces for presenting rewardoptions may be utilized. For example, the campaign management portal maylink to a remote URL for an embedded interface. The embedded interfacemay be a remote interface hosted on remote 3rd party servers and may bereferenced in the campaign for later embedding in the presentation tothe user. Specific phrases or code may be defined for detection during auser interaction. Divergent actions may be taken based on the detectionor nondetection of these phrases, and the requirement of certain useractions may be enforced by these detections.

Transaction identifiers within the embedded content may be detected andstored by the remote server. Certain unique codes and identifiers may beconfigured for later detection during a user interaction. Divergentactions may be taken based on the detection or nondetection of thesecodes, and the requirement of certain user actions may be enforced bythese detections. For example, if and only if the codes are detected,the user may be given the opportunity to collect a reward or topotentially play a game and then collect a reward.

The campaign management portal may also allow for campaign configurationduplication. On the remote server, campaign configuration can beduplicated using a single push of a button, allowing for similarcampaigns to be easily and efficiently created. Campaigns may also beconfigured to automatically renew based on certain criteria. Forexample, a client may define certain renewal settings which are storedon the remote server. At predetermined intervals, analysis of previouslyconfigured campaigns, and analysis of related usage and rewardredemption results are evaluated. Based on the evaluations, campaignscan be set to auto-generate on specific starting dates to be expired onspecific ending dates.

Facilitator Application

Once a client has set up a campaign, the campaign may be presented tothe user via a facilitator application. The facilitator application maybe implemented as hardware, software, or a combination of hardware andsoftware. The facilitator application allows a user to interact with theoffers and rewards that are associated with a specific campaign. In oneembodiment, the facilitator application may be hosted on the remoteserver as a website. In other embodiments, the facilitator applicationmay be downloaded to a user's presentation device, such as a mobilephone, tablet computer, or a point of sale system or kiosk accessible bythe user.

The facilitator application allows a user to interact with the campaignby viewing presentation of offers, playing games, accepting offers,redeeming rewards, and/or transferring rewards. The server may host thefacilitator application as a web based application on a web page orembedded into a client webpage that is accessible by the users. Thefacilitator application may also be an application that is downloadablefrom a client or the host server to be installed on a user's device.

Clients accessing the server to interact with the campaign and to manageoffers may each have a username and password or PIN code forauthenticating the client. Client account passwords and or PIN codes arepreferably encrypted on the remote server. Client authorization usingaccount credentials may be completed via any suitable standard orproprietary authorization protocol such as OAuth 2.0.

The facilitator application may collect other user information uponauthorizing a client. For example external qualifiers may be collectedby the application. This may be done through an interface that isprovided for the facilitator to verify that the client meets externalqualification criteria, and to send specific validation of this to theremote server for storage and audit logging.

The facilitator application may also collect a receipt image of atransaction that may be captured directly from the client's device orother device on which the application is installed or running. Thereceipt image is captured using the native hardware of the clientdevice, including but not limited to front-facing and back-facingcameras. The receipt image may be sent to the remote server for storageand/or future processing.

The facilitator application allows the client's campaign to be presentedto the user. Based on the client's campaign configuration via thecampaign management portal described above, the facilitator obtains apresentation configuration from the remote server. The facilitatordevices may call API services in order to recall active campaigns.Campaigns that are associated with A/B tests are randomly selected fordisplay on the facilitator device based on a randomization process. Whennecessary, opt-in interfaces, terms acceptance interfaces, anddisclosure text is rendered on the facilitator device and governed bydata from the remote server.

The facilitator application may display questions and collect answersbased on the information received from the server. Questions andpossible answers are transmitted from the remote server in a serializedformat to the device for appropriate rendering to the user. Questionsmay be required or optional. Responses to the questions are transmittedto the remote server. Some responses may be flagged as “personallyidentifiable information” and the text may be treated differently uponcollection stored in an encrypted state or securely transmitted to theclient's customer relationship management system.

The facilitator application may display and enable embedded interfaces.User interfaces that reside on 3^(rd) party remote servers 108 arereferenced via URL and embedded within interface provided to the user.Both the local servers 102, 104, 106 and the 3^(rd) party servers 108may provide content to the interface. Client side code detects useractions within the embedded 3^(rd) party interface and makes subsequentactions based on user behaviors. Additionally, data that is transmittedto the client from 3^(rd) party embedded interfaces can be interceptedand transmitted back to our remote server. This information (e.g. newmembership IDs, eCommerce transaction IDs) can be used to validate adesired user behavior and/or used as a logging trail for financialaudit.

The facilitator application may also display interactive games. Forexample, various game interfaces may be invoked on the user's device,with customized graphic assets provided by the remote server.Configuration of the game interface's variables (e.g. animation speed,velocity multipliers, sprite behavior, etc.) may be controlled on theremote server. The outcome of the game may be predetermined by a rewarddetermination engine, in which case the mechanics of the game arevisualized in such a way as to display the winning value in a dynamicway in concert with the variable user actions of the interface. Graphicassets, sound effects, and reward determination algorithms may beconfigurable via the remote server.

The facilitator application may incorporate photo capture at thecomputing device. An interface to invoke the device camera is optionallymade available during the user interaction in order to capture a photoof the user. The user image is captured using the native hardware of theclient device, including but not limited to front-facing and back-facingcameras. This photo may be shared with the client via an automaticupload at the completion of the interaction, or shared with the user'ssocial media network via additional interfaces made available on theapplication.

Further, the facilitator application allows for payment processing. Thefacilitator application may conduct transactions to process a paymentfrom the user either before or after their interaction with thecampaign.

Rewards Presentation

The server may include a rewards determination engine to create thehierarchy of rewards (step 1014, FIG. 10) to determine which reward tooffer to a user. The rewards determination engine draws on a number ofsources to determine an offer for a particular user. The rewarddetermination engine may evaluate the client's reward allocationconfiguration as set up by the campaign management portal, may employrandom number generation, and may use information from predictiveanalytic engines to determine a reward for each instance of a userinteraction. Such analytics will be described in more detail below.

Instead of using the reward determination engine, the server may alsodeliver rewards based on pre-determined outcomes, using simulatedchance. In this way, the user may engage with an offer and in some casesa game, questionnaire or another interactive activity where the clienthas already selected a pre-determined reward using our system.

The reward may be presented to the user by the facilitator applicationin a number of ways. The user may choose how the reward is delivered.For example, the reward may be delivered to a user's email address.Here, the reward may include text, images, eligibility, and termspackaged in a plain text or HTML enhanced email and is sent from a queueto an SMTP processor for intended delivery to the user. The emailqueueing system may manage delivery rejections and system errors toensure that the reward is delivered.

The reward may also be delivered via SMS. Here, abbreviated reward textand a link to a web application or a website that renders the fullreward is packaged in a string and sent from a queue to an integratedSMS relay processor for delivery to the user. The SMS queueing maymanage delivery rejections and systems errors to ensure that the rewardis delivered.

Further, the reward may be delivered via a printer. The reward may beoffered to a user by being displayed on a tablet, kiosk, or browser. Theremote server may then provide an interface to invoke the nativeprinting function of the device to print the offer.

The reward may also be presented via a displayable widget. The widgetmay be displayed via a website, via a native application installed on auser's personal computing device such as a mobile phone, or via a socialnetwork integrated module within a social media platform. A widget maybe embedded on the web site or application that includes a predefinedinterface or that may communicate with the server to render a set ofdata representing the resultant reward to the user. A similar widget mayalso be integrated within a social media platform that is associatedwith the user's unique identifier. The reward may then be displayedwithin a social media environment.

The reward may also be presented to a 3rd-party software program via asecure Application Programming Interface provided by the remote server.The results may be integrated and displayed via a 3rd-party website, viaa 3rd-party native application installed on a user's personal computingdevice such as a mobile phone, or via a 3rd-party social networkintegrated module within a social media platform.

Reward Redemption

The facilitator application may also facilitate the redemption of therewards by the user. The facilitator application may utilize a camera ofthe user or client device as a QR code scanner/manual code entry device.The interface allows for access to the device's camera in order to scanQR codes in real time. The QR codes may represent the unique identifierof the reward. A manual text input box is also be available in order tocommunicate the alphanumeric string to the remote server. The remoteserver interprets the QR code and translates it into an alphanumericstring. The alphanumeric string is looked up and validated againstseveral eligibility factors. Possible states of the code are: unredeemedand valid for single redemption, unredeemed and valid as part ofmultiple redemptions, unredeemed and invalid due to contextualrestrictions (date, time, day of week, etc.), already fully redeemed andinvalid, nonexistent, malformed.

The unique code that represents the reward can also be communicated tothe redemption device by wireless methods such as Near FieldCommunication protocol, Bluetooth protocol, unique sound identification,and similar protocols. If the user opts in to allow such scanning, thecode could also be looked up on the remote server based on biometricidentification or unique identifier manual entry.

When an offer is redeemed, the facilitator application provides mappingof the promotional campaign internal code to a point of sale bar code.The remote server maintains a one-to-one mapping of the campaign'sunique identifiers based on the definition of the reward on the remoteserver to the bar code needed for scanning on the local point of salesystem to represent the same discount. Additionally, the facilitatorapplication incorporates receipt image capture that captures imagesdirectly from the device and sends the images to the remote server forstorage and future processing.

Smart Rewards

Embodiments of the rewards systems allows clients running a campaign tooffer “smart” rewards to users, as opposed to typical offers such as apromotional paper coupon or voucher. Such “smart” rewards have dynamicfeatures that are controlled by the remote server as opposed to suchstatic prior rewards. In some embodiments, the “smart” rewards arecustomized to a particular user, user group or other unique criteria(such as the time of day or season).

The smart rewards may be rendered in email, a web app, or an integratedweb/native widget. Either the offer or the reward receipt itself can bedelivered to the user via multiple media channels. Clients can thencontinue to interact with the user through the preferred channelselected by the user. Examples of the media channels used to render anddeliver the interactive offers and rewards are: email, SMS messages,mobile and traditional websites, native mobile apps and desktopapplications, social media channels, virtual reality platforms, andtraditional paper/print. The results are rewards and offers that can beviewed and used on computers, kiosks, mobile phones, tablets,televisions, radio, gaming platforms, virtual and augmented realityplatforms, digital signage, printed paper, and more.

Data and metadata associated with the individual instance of the rewardunique by user, client, campaign, and date is stored on the remoteserver. When rendering of the reward is required upon initialdistribution, subsequent lookups, and user actions such as trading andsharing appropriate technologies may be used to display the data. Forrendering within a browser on tablets/kiosks/desktops, HTML5, CSS, andJavaScript may be employed. For rendering in native mobile applications,native user interface elements may be employed. For rendering in SMS,text will be used to redirect the user to a mobile optimized webapplication rendering of the reward.

The smart rewards may have dynamic validation and expiration terms thatcan be adjusted by the client in the campaign management portal. In someembodiments, this feature allows the client (i.e. the system user) toset specific parameters around how a reward receipt can be validatedwhen it either expires or when it is redeemed by a user. The systemtracks which rewards have been redeemed and what has expired for bothgeneral reporting purposes and to draw inferences about larger businessand offer performance issues.

Reward instances may be stored on the server with expiration dates andother optional limiting parameters. In some embodiments, upon aredemption attempt, the client device will communicate with the serverto determine whether or not the reward is valid, given the eligibilitydates and other comparisons between those limiting parameters and thecontext of the redemption. The server will allow/disallow redemption,and upon successful redemption will increment the number of successfulredemptions.

In certain embodiments, the smart rewards can be configured to be bothsingle-use and/or multiple-use rewards. A reward can be set up in thesystem by clients to be used only once, or it can be set to be usedmultiple times before it invalidates itself. This means that users couldpotentially get a reward that can be redeemed only once, or one thatcould be reused several times, or even one that could be usedindefinitely. In some embodiments, the system allows these rules to bechanged at will, and generates reports analyzing the effects ofsingle-use vs. multi-use campaigns.

The number of redemptions of a given offer may vary based on theconfiguration of individual rewards within a campaign. If single use,the first successful redemption will render all future redemptionattempts invalid. If multiple use, the reward will remain redeemableuntil the number of redemptions configured equals the number ofsuccessful attempts. In some embodiments, the governance of the reward'seligibility is the responsibility of the server based logic engine.

The smart rewards may further have the dynamic characteristic thatallows a user to choose a reward or aspects of the reward. In otherwords, rather than presenting a single predetermined reward to a user,the client can present the user with a range of awards, usually groupedinto a tier of similar value items, so that a user can select the mostappealing reward from among multiple options. These groups can becreated manually, or the system's artificial intelligence canautomatically group rewards based on variables such as actual value,geographic area, time sensitive events, personal preferences, and thelike.

When the user chooses a specific reward, the psychological bond betweenthe user and the reward he or she ultimately selects is boosted. Thisthus increases the chances of the offer eventually being redeemed. Theelement of choice can happen at multiple points throughout thepresentation of the offer. For example, users can choose what kind ofoffer they want to initially try to earn, what kind of reward they wantto get after earning the reward, or even what kind of reward they wantto trade their initial reward for if they prefer something else at alater stage.

Mappings between equivalent value rewards or potentially equivalentrewards may be stored on the remote server. Upon request, the serverdelivers a set of rewards from which the user may choose. Rewardinventory counts and eligible future reward options may be affected bythe user's choice.

An exemplary method of issuing and tracking the life style of one of theabove described smart rewards is shown in FIG. 14. In FIG. 14, a rewardis issued to an end user with initial terms. For example, a reward mayhave terms such as a given expiration date, redemption terms, number ofredemptions, time and place restrictions on use, and the like. Thereward may be issued as described above as part of a campaign inresponse to a question or as a result of game by played by the end user.The end user may choose the particular smart reward out of a number ofoffered smart rewards. In this embodiment, the smart reward is uniquelyidentified to track the life of the smart reward.

In step 1404, the system monitors whether the smart reward is redeemedby the user. For example, when the reward is used to receive a discounton goods or services, the uniquely identified reward is captured and theidentity of the redeemed reward is reported to the smart rewards system.When the reward is redeemed, the number of available redemptions for thereward is decreased in step 1406. In step 1408, it is determined whetherany remaining redemptions are available for the reward. For a single usereward, the remaining redemptions would be zero and the process ends.However, if there are more redemptions remaining for the reward in amultiple-use reward, then the process returns to step 1404.

The system further monitors smart rewards to determine whether a givenreward is expired in step 1410. When the reward expires, the processproceeds to step 1412 where it is determined whether an extension of theexpiration is available. A client may configure the reward to encouragea user to redeem the reward by offering an extension of the expirationdate. In step 1414, the system determines whether terms of the extensionhave been met in order to grant the extension of the expiration date.For example, the system may prompt the user to answer an additionalquestion, to participate in a game, or to complete some other task toobtain the extension of the reward. When the expiration date issuccessfully extended, the process again returns to step 1404. If noextension is obtained as result of step 1414, then the process ends.

In step 1416, the system monitors rewards configured with the option tobe transferable. In the smart rewards systems, rewards may be configuredto be swapped with the issuing organization for another reward, to beexchanged with other users, or to be shared with additional users. If areward is so configured, the process proceeds to step 1418. In step1418, the system monitors whether a user gifts the reward. When a rewardis gifted, the system reissues the reward to the new user in step 1422,and the process then returns to step 1404. Similarly, the system alsomonitors whether the reward is traded in step 1420. The trading of thereward may be with the institution that issued the reward, or may bewith a separate user. As before, when the reward is traded, the systemreissues the traded rewards to the new users and the process thenreturns to step 1404.

In step 1421, the system determines whether the reward is shared.Sharing rewards may be done by posting a reward on social media, sharingvia email, SMS messaging, or other means. The reward may be configuredsuch that the original award may share multiple redemptions with otherusers, or that the reward may be duplicated to the other users. When thereward is shared, the system duplicates or issues the shared rewards instep 1423. The process then proceeds again to step 1404.

When the reward is delivered to a user via electronic means, such as viaemail, SMS messaging, an application, or the like, the reward may alsobe configured to allow alerts to be sent to the reward holder. Suchalerts may include warnings of an upcoming expiration dates, remindersto redeem the offer, messages to participate in additional offers,encouragement to share or swap the offer, or the like. The systemdetermines whether one or more criteria is met to send an alert to theholder of the smart reward in step 1424. If the criteria is met, thenthe alert is transmitting to the end user in step 1426. The process thenagain returns to step 1404.

Smart rewards may be configured to be modified over time in order toencourage redemption of the rewards, and to increase the rewards'effectiveness. The rewards may be modified based on input by theinstitution that issued the reward, or may be modified based on criteriapredetermined at issuance. In step 1428, the system determines whetherthe smart reward has been configured to be eligible for modification. Ifnot, the process returns to step 1404. If the reward is eligible, thenthe process proceeds to step 1430. In step 1430, it is determinedwhether one or more criteria is met to modify terms of the reward. Forexample, the reward may be configured to present an additional game tothe user which upon completion, increases the number of redemptions ofthe reward. As another example, the reward may offer an increase in thevalue of the reward when the end user shares the reward via socialmedia. Any other number of criteria that may or may not require actionby the end user may be applied to modify one or more terms of thereward.

When the modification criteria are met, the system updates the rewardparameters based on the modification. In the examples above, this may beby increase the value or the number of redemptions. Other possibilitiesinclude allowing the reward to be transferred or swapped for anadditional reward, extending an expiration date, or the like. Once theparameters are updated, then the process returns to step 1404.

In some embodiments, the “smart rewards” also include “evolvingrewards.” That is, rewards that become customized to the user andthereby become increasingly effective over time. As a user choosesand/or redeems offers over a period of time, the system begins learningthe preferences of the user, and can be set to revise the type of offersand type of rewards that the user sees. The system may take into accountmany different variables ranging from individual preferences, topreferences of other users at one geographic area versus another, to howpreferences change over time each year, to what else is being purchasedor what other activity is being incentivized when the offer is presentedor redeemed, to how frequently the user participates, to otherbehavioral and demographic characteristics that can be collected outsideof our system but fed back into it for analytic purposes.

The system of “smart rewards” thus presents a user with increasinglyeffective incentives offers and rewards that are increasingly likely toinspire the desired behavior. In certain embodiments, these rewards canbe created entirely by the client without regard to the systemrecommendations. Alternatively, the system can generate analysis of theclient's desired rewards and make recommendations for suggested changes.Even further, the system's artificial intelligence may generate its ownrecommended rewards that the client can then simply approve.

In some embodiments, data about the user can be collected from manysources, including but not limited to: integrated point of sale systems,data integrations with client loyalty or CRM systems, and history ofuser actions and inaction based on data received at the remote serverfrom the facilitator application. Algorithms evaluate specific usagepatterns of the user and of other users that match the user'ssegmentation.

The smart offers may also be presented along with dynamic multi-mediasuch as multiple images/angles, text, and video. Thus, rather thanpresenting offers and reward receipts as static text, images or simplevideos, the system allows clients to either manually create orautomatically generate more interactive rewards and offers thatincorporate more sophisticated multimedia effects such as: dynamicvideo, highlighting imagery from multiple angles, incorporating soundeffects and vibration and lighting effects using the user's device, andthe like.

Graphic media and assets may be stored on remote servers and contentdelivery networks. Assets may be managed by clients within the campaignmanagement portal and may be called upon for rendering on demand.

Rules Engine

The smart rewards and the dynamic features associated with the smartrewards are controlled by a rules engine implemented on the remoteserver 102. The reward rules engine allows the client to tell the systemhow to react to specific user behavior. The client can either manuallyselect from a series of “if X occurs, then the system should do Y” orallow the artificial intelligence governing the system to make decisionslike this on its own as determined by preprogrammed logic and input fromthe specific client's preferences.

Examples of rules engine governed rewards include: the ability topresent one or more offers based on one or more predetermined factors;the ability to let users trade rewards with each other or with theclient to find their preferred reward; the ability to let users choosefrom multiple reward choices when first selecting their reward; theability to send follow-up messages; the ability to send follow-uprewards & offers; the ability to allow users to share or gift rewards toeach other; the ability to utilize group-focused offers and rewards thatrequire multiple users to either compete with each other or cooperatewith each other to qualify for an offer or redeem a reward; the abilityto deploy rewards that dynamically change in value depending on rulesset by the client; the ability to deploy delayed-reveal rewards thatonly reveal their worth upon redemption or upon the user completing aspecific action; the ability to send expiration reminders; the abilityto use two-way communication between the client and the user; theability to consolidate multiple lower value rewards into a higher valuereward; the ability to include time and location-sensitive incentivessuch as a reward that changes in value over time unless certain actionsare taken (like completing a specific action or redeeming a reward); theability to deploy conditional rewards; and the ability to send usagenotifications, among other messages and reward types. These rulefeatures are discussed below in more detail.

Rules-based award presentation: In some embodiments, clients may set upa plurality of offers or awards for presentation to end users. The rulesengine may select one of the offers or rewards to present to a userbased on a plurality of factors. These factors may be equally orunequally weighted according to client preferences or based on analyticsreports, described in more detail below. A client offer or rewardpresentation device may include sensors to monitor conditions thatcorrespond to factors used in determining which offer or reward topresent. Such factors may including a time of day, week, month, or year;a current temperature; a likely demographic of a detected user; a numberof potential detected users; an amount of traffic in a nearby area; pastperformance of certain offers in similar conditions; performance ofoffers and rewards at other clients; etc. Each factor is assigned aweight or score, and by considering these and other facts, the rulesengine may select one of the plurality of offers or rewards to presentto the end user at a given moment in time.

Trading rewards: In certain embodiments, Clients can choose to makerewards eligible for trade with the client company or among users. Thisway, if a user is unhappy with the reward received or would prefersomething else, she can trade in her reward for another reward (usually,but not necessarily, of similar value.) These trades can occur amongusers or between a user and the original client. This helps the user toobtain a reward that is more likely to spark the desired final behavior,and also reveals user preferences for one reward versus another, whichthe analytics system (described below) uses to draw inferences about therest of the business operations and to create more effective offers andrewards in the future.

Multiple Choice Rewards: Rather than receiving a specific rewardpre-selected by the system, certain embodiments allow users to selecttheir preferred reward from among multiple options, generally presentedas several choices from a tier of similarly valued rewards within apredetermined tier level. This increases the psychological bond betweenthe user and the reward, boosting the chances that the user likes thereward, remembers it, and ultimately redeems it.

Follow-up messages: Follow-up messages and offers may be based ondifferent user behavior. For example, if a user decides to redeem anaward within hours of receiving it, that could prompt a very differentmessage as compared to someone who redeems the reward after six months.In another example, if a user gives his reward to someone else, thatcould prompt a different message than someone who uses it herself. Or ifanother user only redeems rewards on Fridays, this could prompt amessage highlighting upcoming events for subsequent Fridays. In someembodiments, messages can be varied based on factors such as geography,items purchased, time, demographic knowledge, and many other suchvariables. These automated messages create a more personalizedexperience for end users and save time and effort for the clients(system users).

Follow-up rewards/offers: Similar to the example above, the system canprovide another follow-up offer or reward to the user once he or sheactually redeems the initial reward. Like behavior-based messaging,these offers and rewards can be predetermined and varied in a number ofways. For example, follow-up offers may be based on usage, time,location, geography, actual spending, and so forth. The follow-up offermay be automatically delivered once a user triggers the follow-upreward/offer by behaving in the targeted manner. Another type offollow-up reward the system can offer are sequential rewards. Theseallow a client to outline ahead of time what the follow-uprewards/offers are going to be. The first reward might be for, say, 5%off. If redeemed, a second reward could be unlocked for 10%, followed by15% off, and so on up to a final reward. The user can be told to redeemeach reward along the way; and that redeeming a reward subsequentlyunlocks the next level reward.

Sharing functionality: In some embodiments, clients can use the systemto allow rewards to be shared by users either in a one-to-one capacityfor direct exchange or mutual benefit. Rewards can be gifted or sharedwith another specific person, or they can be gifted to another randomuser. It also allows sharing in a one-to-many style for moresocial/viral sharing. In other words, rewards can be gifted from oneuser to another so that only the new recipient(s) can redeem the offer,or they can be set to be used by both the original user along with apredetermined number of additional users invited by the user to alsoenjoy the reward. This allows a user to potentially post up his offer onsocial media or send it to several friends and indicate something suchas “the first ten people to redeem the reward will also be able to sharethe same benefit of the reward.” The system tracks the sharing,identifies “super users” who spread the offers most effectively, anddraws conclusions about how to increase the number of super users andutilize the best practice tactics they are employing in other effortselsewhere in the system. All of the sharing functionality describedabove may be accomplished, for example, by email, by SMS, by Bluetooth,by NFC, via social media, and the like.

Group-oriented competitive or cooperative offers and rewards: the systemcan be set to require users to either compete with each other to achievecertain rewards, or cooperate with each other to complete certainactions together to qualify for or redeem a reward. For example, anoffer might say that as long as a group of several users redeem theirrewards together within a certain time frame, it would unlock asecondary level reward that all of them would then receive. In anotherexample, an offer might say that whoever redeems a reward first among aspecific group would get a better offer while the last person to redeemmight receive the smallest reward.

Rewards that dynamically change in value: The system can be set up toallow for rewards to temporarily change in value depending on the rulesoutlined initially by the client. For example, if a user receives areward for a two-for-one special off any subsequent visit, that rewardcould be manually or automatically set to increase in value to athree-for-one special during a particularly slow time in the middle ofthe week, or during a unique occasion when the client is trying to boostredemption.

Delayed-reveal rewards: rewards can be set up in the system to eitherimmediately reveal their value, or to only reveal their value at afuture time, such as upon redemption or at a predetermined future time,or upon the user completing a specific follow-up action. This allows theclient to decide when the most opportune time is to reveal the worth ofthe reward that the user has received. For example, a user may receive areward that could be either somewhat small or very significant, butwould not know until showing up for their appointment, or making thepurchase, or whatever the organization is trying to incentivize users todo; or a user could receive a reward that doesn't reveal its value untila month in the future; or a user could receive a reward that doesn'treveal its value until the user answers a specific survey question, etc.

Expiration reminders: prior to an offer expiring, one or more messagescan be sent to the user via the preselected media channel to remind themthat they only have a limited amount of time remaining to redeem thereward. This can be paired with the dynamically changing rewards (#84)so that the reward can be changed to try to increase the likelihood ofredemption.

Two-way communication: After a user receives a message or reward, he canrespond to it if the client chooses to allow this. The system can eitherallow clients to send out manual responses, or the system's artificialintelligence can interpret the language used by the user to createcustomized auto responses, or a combination of both approaches can beused.

Consolidating (or redistributing) rewards: the system can be set up toallow users to consolidate multiple lower value rewards to exchange themfor a different, higher value reward that has similar or differentredemption rules. On the flip side, the system can allow large rewardsto be broken up into multiple lower value rewards if the client wants tomake such an option available.

Time-sensitive & location-sensitive rewards: in some embodiments, thesystem can be set to create either time-based rewards, location-basedrewards, or both. For example, a user might receive a reward thatshrinks in value over time—such as very visibly decreasing in value by10% each day over a week—to encourage faster redemption. In thisscenario, the system can optionally be further set up to allow a user tocomplete a specific additional task—like registering for a loyalty clubor answering a survey question—to boost the value back up to itsoriginal worth. An example of a time and location-based rewardcombination might be a reward that requires a user to visit multiplestores or offices within 24 hours in order to unlock the full value ofthe reward.

Conditional rewards: in certain embodiments, the system can allow for areward to be given that requires secondary action(s) to be taken by theuser before it may be used. For example, a health plan or healthprovider might distribute a specific reward like money or a free itemthat requires the patient to complete a follow-up exam or multiple examsbefore the reward can be redeemed.

Usage notifications: Notifications can be delivered to both the user andthe client to let them know when and how a particular reward has beenused. These can also be collected and reported in multiple differentways.

In some embodiments, every instance of a delivered smart reward istracked uniquely as compared to all other rewards. For example, for eachreward, the user to whom the reward is offered, the campaign from whichthe offer originated, the reward identified in the offer, the terms ofthe offer, the date issued, and the expiration date may be uniquelytracked. The unique instance is represented by an encoded symbolicimage, such as a QR (Quick Response) code. This code can be interpretedby the remote server and evaluated in its component data parts. This canalso include a direct mapping to a bar code for utilization by theclient's point of sale system, and aid in efficient redemptionvalidation.

It is further noted that each smart reward is not limited toincorporating a single feature. More than one feature up to andincluding all features may be implemented in a smart reward. Thefeatures may be combined based on preferences of a client for a givenoffer or campaign.

Analytics, Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence System

In some embodiments, the smart rewards system also includes an analyticsand artificial intelligence system that analyzes the user's actions toboth report on and draw inferences about how best to improve offer andreward effectiveness.

First, the system performs ongoing background analysis for tracking theprogress of an ongoing promotional campaign and auto-generating monthlyreports. The system also provides the ability to run custom queries atany time. The client can export this data to another system, or can usethe system to see a creative, visual reporting of user data to help theclient make better decisions based on the performance of past andcurrent offers running in the system. The data can be queried in manydifferent ways to analyze performance across a multitude of metricsincluding: time, geography, products purchased, actions taken, type ofuser, satisfaction, frequency of transaction, and more. The data from anindividual client can also be compared to blinded group data compiledfrom other clients in the system. This allows a client to compare his orher performance to other larger data sets that compile performance datafrom many clients across industry vertical, geography, etc.

In addition to tracking and reporting, the system includes an artificialintelligence system that draws inferences from the incoming performancedata to actively make suggestions about and/or actually adjust thecurrent and future offers with the goal of improving their effectivenessas initially defined by the client. The system is able to either makethese adjustments on its own without client approval, or manually withclient approval.

In other words, in certain embodiments, the analytics engine may beessentially set to “autopilot” in order to test out different offercombinations. Or the system can be set up so that as a client creates anew offer, the system is able to assess the predicted effectiveness ofthe offer to help the client decide whether or not to publish a givenoffer or set of offers.

In some embodiments, the effectiveness of these features relies on pastperformance data from clients individually and the larger database ofcollected data across all clients. In certain embodiments, the systembecomes more effective as it gathers more data.

The machine learning algorithms use both supervised and unsupervisedapproaches. Techniques include: decision-tree learning, clusteringalgorithms, Bayesian network analysis, association rule learning,artificial neural networks and genetic algorithms, similarity learningalgorithms, support vector machines, agent-based modeling, and bothreinforcement and representation learning algorithms.

Second, the system has been architected to deliver reports andrecommendations not only to make the offers themselves more effective,but to allow the data to be easily merged with larger data sets gatheredwholly or partially outside the system. This allows clients to use thesystem to both better assess how offers impact other parts of theirbusiness, and also to improve the effectiveness of the system's machinelearning approaches.

Third, in certain embodiments basic real-time reports are also availableat any time to system administrators and client administrators. Suchreports may include campaign usage (e.g., number of campaigntransactions), reward usage (e.g. number of rewards delivered and/ornumber of rewards redeemed), question usage (e.g. aggregated answersand/or individual answers), embedded module usage (aggregated results),and game usage (actual game outcome vs. pre-configured rewardallocation). All such reports may be available for exporting to avariety of formats including XML, CSV, or a custom format.

Implementation

The disclosed embodiments described above may be used to implement anincentive-based campaign in which one or more smart offers or rewards ispresented to a user to inspire specific user behaviors. FIG. 17discloses an exemplary process for implementing such a campaign. In FIG.17, step 1702, a campaign is set up by a client.

As described above, a client may set up a campaign utilizing the clientcampaign management portal. The client may choose which offers topresent, what (if any) gamification techniques to incorporate during thepresentation of the offer, potential survey questions, other qualifyingactivities like a registration form, rules for presenting predeterminedoffers, etc. The client may then launch the campaign for presentation tousers.

In step 1704, the campaign, including one or more offers, is presentedto a user. This can be done in a variety of ways through a number ofdifferent mediums. For example, the offer may be presented on a user'sdevice, such as a smartphone, tablet, or other computing device, or aclient device such as a client tablet, point of sale system, kiosk,computer, digital signage, etc. Often the offer is presented to userwith gamification techniques so that the user may feel as though he orshe has won or earned the value of the offer. For example, a user who isabout to pay a bill for goods or services may be presented with an offerusing a client point of sale system, electronic signage, tabletcomputing device, etc. The device may ask the user whether the userwould like to pay for the bill or play for the bill. The user then hasthe option to play a short game. A game may be any suitable game such asspinning a wheel with multiple prizes or the like. The outcomes of thegame allow the user to win something at the client's establishment.

In some embodiments, a game is presented on a client presentation devicesuch as the client smartphone, tablet, point of sale system, kiosk,computer, digital signage, etc. The user plays the game, and wins one ofthe plurality of prizes which may be various offers at the client'sestablishment. The offer is a smart offer described above and is sent tothe user via a user's email address, phone number, social media page, orprinter to be later redeemed by the user.

Clients, via the campaign management portal, may decide how to brand thegame, what prizes are awarded, and how people may qualify to play thegame. Such qualifiers may include outside qualifiers or direct payment.An outside qualifier may include a desired user behavior for which theclient wishes to create an incentive. For example, qualifiers mayinclude criteria to bring a certain sized group to an establishment, toanswer a predetermined number of survey questions, to patronize theestablishment a predetermined number of time, to spend a predeterminedamount of money at the establishment, to rate the establishment onsocial media or other website, and the like.

The client may also require direct payment to play. In this instance,the user would be required to pay a predetermined amount ofconsideration in order to play the game. As a result of playing thegame, the user may be guaranteed to win at least the predeterminedamount of consideration paid in the form of a special coupon, gift cardor some other type of reward, but also has a chance to win somethingmore than the original predetermined amount.

In this manner, the user does not risk anything, such as in gambling,because the user will get at least the predetermined amount of money invalue back, such as for use on a future purchase. However, the user mayalso get an additional discount or prize. The user may even win an awardto cover the full value of whatever she was about to purchase (up to acertain maximum). In jurisdictions with regulations under sweepstakeslaw, the system may incorporate alternate methods of entry forcompliance with such regulations.

The offer may further be presented based on a number of differentcriteria. For example, one of a plurality of offers selected by a clientfor a campaign may be offered to the end user based on certainpredetermined rules. Such rules may correspond to factors such as timeof day, temperature, or other environmental conditions that are obtainedby a client or user device. Further, rules may be based on factors suchas past performance of offers and a desired user action. The rules forselecting one of the offers may weigh the above factors equally, or maygive preference to some factors over others.

In one embodiment, an offer may be presented on a client device such asa point of sale system, digital signage, a tablet, or the like. Theclient device includes one or more sensors such as a camera, motionsensor, microphone, etc. The client device preferably includes anetworking transceiver allowing the device access to a local networkand/or the Internet. The client device determines a number of conditionsrelating to factors corresponding to rules to present one of theplurality of offers. For example, the client device may determine orsense a current time, temperature, motion of one or more users, a numberof potential nearby users, likely demographics of the nearby users, pastperformance of offers already used, etc. The client device may thenselect an offer based on the predetermined rules according to thefactors obtained by the client device. This is configured in thecampaign management system described previously. The selected offer isthen presented to the user.

For example, using the system, a coffee shop could change the content ofits digital signage based on multiple factors such as the time of day,the weather, the number of people walking or driving by, whether or notthose people appear to be male or female, and additional factors. So ifit is a cold evening in December, and a large group of college-agepeople are walking by, the system would calculate the assignedimportance of these factors to show an offer that might say somethinglike: “Feeling lost in the crowd? Take a break from studying and grab ahot chocolate inside.” If, however, it is a hot afternoon, and one olderperson is walking by slowly, the system might select a different offerthat says something like: “Thinking about old times? Touch the screen tosee if you've won a free ice cold lemonade like Mom used to make.” Inshort, the system allows the client to deliver more environmentallyrelevant information and/or interactive experiences to individuals basedon precisely what is happening around them at that second. The offer mayinclude an interactive experience like a game or questionnaire, or itcan be a more standard advertisement that simply changes based on whichversion is selected automatically by the system given the weightedfactors.

Once the offer or prize is awarded and sent to the user, the offer isrecorded in the server to track the offer for redemption, expiration,trading, gifting, or renewal of the offer, as shown in step 1706. Asexplained above, the smart offers are recorded in memory in the serverand may be tracked so that information regarding an action (or inaction)that a user takes with respect to the offer is obtained. Such actionsmay include redeeming the offer, trading the offer for another offer,gifting the offer to someone else, or allowing the offer to expire. Asexplained above, the system may further allow the user to renew theoffer or exchange the offer upon the expiration of the offer.

In step 1708, the server compiles information of all the offers in thepromotional campaign. The server also compiles anonymous analytics onall campaigns within the system to evaluate the effectiveness of theoffers and campaigns.

In step 1710, the results of the analytics may be provided to theclient. Finally, in step 1712, the system or the client may adjustvirtually any aspect of the campaign (the rules, the rewards, thegamification features, etc.) based on the report received in step 1710.For example, rules for weighing the factors to select one of a pluralityof offers may be changed manually or automatically according to resultsof the analytics.

In the above described embodiments, the system improves offereffectiveness by improving how offers are presented (such as bydetermining when to present certain offers and/or by pairing offers withthe above described gamification techniques), and by improving thenature of how a reward is used. That is, the system improves how anoffer is distributed, redeemed, evolved, and tracked; and improves howthe system conducts data mining to derive applicable insights that canbe used to improve the offers and rewards or other departments orbusiness areas of clients.

In this manner, utilizing the disclosed system, clients can drive userbehavior to keep a user returning to the client's establishment.Further, even if the user never returns to the establishment, thequalifying transaction (such as answering a question, registering for aloyalty club, spending a certain amount of money, etc.) deliverssignificant benefits, and the smart rewards system may allow the valuein the offer to be transferred to a potential new user.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing example or representative computingdevices and associated elements that may be used to implement thesystems method and apparatus described herein. FIG. 15 shows an exampleof a generic computing device 1500 and a generic mobile computing device1550, which may be used with the techniques described here. Computingdevice 1500 is intended to represent various forms of digital computers,such as laptops, desktops, workstations, personal digital assistants,servers, blade servers, mainframes, and other appropriate computers.Computing device 1550 is intended to represent various forms of mobiledevices, such as personal digital assistants, cellular telephones, smartphones, and other similar computing devices. The components shown here,their connections and relationships, and their functions, are meant tobe exemplary only, and are not meant to limit implementations of theinventions described and/or claimed in this document.

Computing device 1500 includes a processor 1502, memory 1504, a storagedevice 1506, a high-speed interface or controller 1508 connecting tomemory 1504 and high-speed expansion ports 1510, and a low-speedinterface or controller 1512 connecting to low-speed bus 1514 andstorage device 1506. Each of the components 1502, 1504, 1506, 1508,1510, and 1512, are interconnected using various busses, and may bemounted on a common motherboard or in other manners as appropriate. Theprocessor 1502 can process instructions for execution within thecomputing device 1500, including instructions stored in the memory 1504or on the storage device 1506 to display graphical information for a GUIon an external input/output device, such as display 1516 coupled tohigh-speed controller 1508. In other implementations, multipleprocessors and/or multiple buses may be used, as appropriate, along withmultiple memories and types of memory. Also, multiple computing devices1500 may be connected, with each device providing portions of thenecessary operations (e.g., as a server bank, a group of blade servers,or a multi-processor system).

The memory 1504 stores information within the computing device 1500. Inone implementation, the memory 1504 is a volatile memory unit or units.In another implementation, the memory 1504 is a non-volatile memory unitor units. The memory 1504 may also be another form of computer-readablemedium, such as a magnetic or optical disk.

The storage device 1506 is capable of providing mass storage for thecomputing device 1500. In one implementation, the storage device 1506may be or contain a computer-readable medium, such as a floppy diskdevice, a hard disk device, an optical disk device, or a tape device, aflash memory or other similar solid state memory device, or an array ofdevices, including devices in a storage area network or otherconfigurations. A computer program product can be tangibly embodied inan information carrier. The computer program product may also containinstructions that, when executed, perform one or more methods, such asthose described above. The information carrier is a computer- ormachine-readable medium, such as the memory 1504, the storage device1506, or memory on processor 1502.

The high-speed controller 1508 manages bandwidth-intensive operationsfor the computing device 1500, while the low-speed controller 1512manages lower bandwidth-intensive operations. Such allocation offunctions is exemplary only. In one implementation, the high-speedcontroller 1508 is coupled to memory 1504, display 1516 (e.g., through agraphics processor or accelerator), and to high-speed expansion ports1510, which may accept various expansion cards (not shown). In theimplementation, low-speed controller 1512 is coupled to storage device1506 and low-speed bus 1514. The low-speed bus 1514, which may includevarious communication ports (e.g., USB, Bluetooth, Ethernet, wirelessEthernet) may be coupled to one or more input/output devices, such as akeyboard, a pointing device, a scanner, or a networking device such as aswitch or router, e.g., through a network adapter.

The computing device 1500 may be implemented in a number of differentforms, as shown in the figure. For example, it may be implemented as astandard server 1520, or multiple times in a group of such servers. Itmay also be implemented as part of a rack server system 1524. Inaddition, it may be implemented in a personal computer such as a laptopcomputer 1522. Alternatively, components from computing device 1500 maybe combined with other components in a mobile device (not shown), suchas device 1550. Each of such devices may contain one or more ofcomputing device 1500, 1550, and an entire system may be made up ofmultiple computing devices 1500, 1550 communicating with each other.

Computing device 1550 includes a processor 1552, memory 1564, aninput/output device such as a display 1554, a communication interface1566, and a transceiver 1568, among other components. The device 1550may also be provided with a storage device, such as a microdrive orother device, to provide additional storage. Each of the components1550, 1552, 1564, 1554, 1566, and 1568, are interconnected using variousbuses, and several of the components may be mounted on a commonmotherboard or in other manners as appropriate.

The processor 1552 can execute instructions within the computing device1550, including instructions stored in the memory 1564. The processormay be implemented as a chipset of chips that include separate andmultiple analog and digital processors. The processor may provide, forexample, for coordination of the other components of the device 1550,such as control of user interfaces, applications run by device 1550, andwireless communication by device 1550.

Processor 1552 may communicate with a user through control interface1558 and display interface 1556 coupled to a display 1554. The display1554 may be, for example, a TFT LCD (Thin-Film-Transistor Liquid CrystalDisplay) or an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display, or otherappropriate display technology. The display interface 1556 may compriseappropriate circuitry for driving the display 1554 to present graphicaland other information to a user. The control interface 1558 may receivecommands from a user and convert them for submission to the processor1552. In addition, an external interface 1562 may be provide incommunication with processor 1552, so as to enable near areacommunication of device 1550 with other devices. External interface 1562may provide, for example, for wired communication in someimplementations, or for wireless communication in other implementations,and multiple interfaces may also be used.

The memory 1564 stores information within the computing device 1550. Thememory 1564 can be implemented as one or more of a computer-readablemedium or media, a volatile memory unit or units, or a non-volatilememory unit or units. Expansion memory 1574 may also be provided andconnected to device 1550 through expansion interface 1572, which mayinclude, for example, a SIMM (Single In Line Memory Module) cardinterface. Such expansion memory 1574 may provide extra storage spacefor device 1550, or may also store applications or other information fordevice 1550. Specifically, expansion memory 1574 may includeinstructions to carry out or supplement the processes described above,and may include secure information also. Thus, for example, expansionmemory 1574 may be provide as a security module for device 1550, and maybe programmed with instructions that permit secure use of device 1550.In addition, secure applications may be provided via the SIMM cards,along with additional information, such as placing identifyinginformation on the SIMM card in a non-hackable manner.

The memory may include, for example, flash memory and/or NVRAM memory,as discussed below. In one implementation, a computer program product istangibly embodied in an information carrier. The computer programproduct contains instructions that, when executed, perform one or moremethods, such as those described above. The information carrier is acomputer- or machine-readable medium, such as the memory 1564, expansionmemory 1574, or memory on processor 1552, that may be received, forexample, over transceiver 1568 or external interface 1562.

Device 1550 may communicate wirelessly through communication interface1566, which may include digital signal processing circuitry wherenecessary. Communication interface 1566 may provide for communicationsunder various modes or protocols, such as GSM voice calls, SMS, EMS, orMMS messaging, CDMA, TDMA, PDC, WCDMA, CDMA2000, or GPRS, among others.Such communication may occur, for example, through radio-frequencytransceiver 1568. In addition, short-range communication may occur, suchas using a Bluetooth, Wife, or other such transceiver (not shown). Inaddition, GPS (Global Positioning system) receiver module 1570 mayprovide additional navigation- and location-related wireless data todevice 1550, which may be used as appropriate by applications running ondevice 1550.

Device 1550 may also communicate audibly using audio codec 1560, whichmay receive spoken information from a user and convert it to usabledigital information. Audio codec 1560 may likewise generate audiblesound for a user, such as through a speaker, e.g., in a handset ofdevice 1550. Such sound may include sound from voice telephone calls,may include recorded sound (e.g., voice messages, music files, etc.) andmay also include sound generated by applications operating on device1550.

The computing device 1550 may be implemented in a number of differentforms, as shown in the figure. For example, it may be implemented as acellular telephone 1580. It may also be implemented as part of a smartphone 1582, personal digital assistant, a computer tablet, or othersimilar mobile device.

Thus, various implementations of the systems and techniques describedhere can be realized in digital electronic circuitry, integratedcircuitry, specially designed ASICs (application specific integratedcircuits), computer hardware, firmware, software, and/or combinationsthereof. These various implementations can include implementation in oneor more computer programs that are executable and/or interpretable on aprogrammable system including at least one programmable processor, whichmay be special or general purpose, coupled to receive data andinstructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a storagesystem, at least one input device, and at least one output device.

These computer programs (also known as programs, software, softwareapplications or code) include machine instructions for a programmableprocessor, and can be implemented in a high-level procedural and/orobject-oriented programming language, and/or in assembly/machinelanguage. As used herein, the terms “machine-readable medium”“computer-readable medium” refers to any computer program product,apparatus and/or device (e.g., magnetic discs, optical disks, memory,Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs)) used to provide machine instructionsand/or data to a programmable processor, including a machine-readablemedium that receives machine instructions as a machine-readable signal.The term “machine-readable signal” refers to any signal used to providemachine instructions and/or data to a programmable processor.

To provide for interaction with a user, the systems and techniquesdescribed here can be implemented on a computer having a display device(e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor)for displaying information to the user and a keyboard and a pointingdevice (e.g., a mouse or a trackball) by which the user can provideinput to the computer. Other kinds of devices can be used to provide forinteraction with a user as well; for example, feedback provided to theuser can be any form of sensory feedback (e.g., visual feedback,auditory feedback, or tactile feedback); and input from the user can bereceived in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input.

The systems and techniques described here can be implemented in acomputing system (e.g., computing device 1500 and/or 1550) that includesa back end component (e.g., as a data server), or that includes amiddleware component (e.g., an application server), or that includes afront end component (e.g., a client computer having a graphical userinterface or a Web browser through which a user can interact with animplementation of the systems and techniques described here), or anycombination of such back end, middleware, or front end components. Thecomponents of the system can be interconnected by any form or medium ofdigital data communication (e.g., a communication network). Examples ofcommunication networks include a local area network (“LAN”), a wide areanetwork (“WAN”), and the Internet.

The computing system can include clients and servers. A client andserver are generally remote from each other and typically interactthrough a communication network. The relationship of client and serverarises by virtue of computer programs running on the respectivecomputers and having a client-server relationship to each other.

In the example embodiment, computing devices 1500 and 1550 areconfigured to receive and/or retrieve electronic documents from variousother computing devices connected to computing devices 1500 and 1550through a communication network, and store these electronic documentswithin at least one of memory 1504, storage device 1506, and memory1564. Computing devices 1500 and 1550 are further configured to manageand organize these electronic documents within at least one of memory1504, storage device 1506, and memory 1564 using the techniquesdescribed herein.

FIG. 16 illustrates an example embodiment of a mobile device 1600. Thisis but one possible device configuration, and as such it is contemplatedthat one of ordinary skill in the art may differently configure themobile device. The device 1600 may comprise any type of fixed or mobilecommunication device that can be configured in such a way so as tofunction as described below. The mobile device may comprise a PDA,cellular telephone, smart phone, tablet PC, wireless electronic pad, orany other computing device.

In this example embodiment, the mobile device 1600 is configured with anouter housing 1604 that protects and contains the components describedbelow. Within the housing 1604 is a processor 1608 and a first andsecond bus 1612, 1612 (collectively 1612). The processor 1608communicates over the buses 1612 with the other components of the mobiledevice 1600. The processor 1608 may comprise any type of processor orcontroller capable of performing as described herein. The processor 1608may comprise a general purpose processor, ASIC, ARM, DSP, controller, orany other type processing device.

The processor 1608 and other elements of the mobile device 1600 receivepower from a battery 1620 or other power source. An electrical interface1624 provides one or more electrical ports to electrically interfacewith the mobile device 1600, such as with a second electronic device,computer, a medical device, or a power supply/charging device. Theinterface 1624 may comprise any type of electrical interface orconnector format.

One or more memories 1610 are part of the mobile device 1600 for storageof machine readable code for execution on the processor 1608, and forstorage of data, such as image data, audio data, user data, medicaldata, location data, shock data, or any other type of data. The memorymay store the messaging application (app). The memory may comprise RAM,ROM, flash memory, optical memory, or micro-drive memory. The machinereadable code as described herein is non-transitory.

As part of this embodiment, the processor 1608 connects to a userinterface 1616. The user interface 1616 may comprise any system ordevice configured to accept user input to control the mobile device. Theuser interface 1616 may comprise one or more of the following: keyboard,roller ball, buttons, wheels, pointer key, touch pad, and touch screen.A touch screen controller 1630 is also provided which interfaces throughthe bus 1612 and connects to a display 1628.

The display comprises any type of display screen configured to displayvisual information to the user. The screen may comprise an LED, LCD,thin film transistor screen, OEL CSTN (color super twisted nematic), TFT(thin film transistor), TFD (thin film diode), OLED (organiclight-emitting diode), AMOLED display (active-matrix organiclight-emitting diode), capacitive touch screen, resistive touch screenor any combination of these technologies. The display 1628 receivessignals from the processor 1608 and these signals are translated by thedisplay into text and images as is understood in the art. The display1628 may further comprise a display processor (not shown) or controllerthat interfaces with the processor 1608. The touch screen controller1630 may comprise a module configured to receive signals from a touchscreen which is overlaid on the display 1628. Messages may be entered onthe touch screen 1630, or the user interface 1616 may include a keyboardor other data entry device.

Also part of this exemplary mobile device is a speaker 1634 andmicrophone 1638. The speaker 1634 and microphone 1638 may be controlledby the processor 1608 and are configured to receive and convert audiosignals to electrical signals, in the case of the microphone, based onprocessor control. Likewise, processor 1608 may activate the speaker1634 to generate audio signals. These devices operate as is understoodin the art and as such are not described in detail herein.

Also connected to one or more of the buses 1612 is a first wirelesstransceiver 1640 and a second wireless transceiver 1644, each of whichconnect to respective antenna 1648, 1652. The first and secondtransceiver 1640, 1644 are configured to receive incoming signals from aremote transmitter and perform analog front end processing on thesignals to generate analog baseband signals. The incoming signal may befurther processed by conversion to a digital format, such as by ananalog to digital converter, for subsequent processing by the processor1608. Likewise, the first and second transceiver 1640, 1644 areconfigured to receive outgoing signals from the processor 1608, oranother component of the mobile device 1608, and up-convert these signalfrom baseband to RF frequency for transmission over the respectiveantenna 1648, 1652. Although shown with a first wireless transceiver1640 and a second wireless transceiver 1644, it is contemplated that themobile device 1600 may have only one such system or two or moretransceivers. For example, some devices are tri-band or quad-bandcapable, or have Bluetooth and NFC communication capability.

It is contemplated that the mobile device, and hence the first wirelesstransceiver 1640 and a second wireless transceiver 1644 may beconfigured to operate according to any presently existing or futuredeveloped wireless standard including, but not limited to, Bluetooth,WI-FI such as IEEE 802.11 a,b,g,n, wireless LAN, WMAN, broadband fixedaccess, WiMAX, any cellular technology including CDMA, GSM, EDGE, 3G,4G, 5G, TDMA, AMPS, FRS, GMRS, citizen band radio, VHF, AM, FM, andwireless USB.

Also part of the mobile device is one or more systems connected to thesecond bus 1612 which also interfaces with the processor 1608. Thesedevices include a global positioning system (GPS) module 1660 withassociated antenna 1662. The GPS module 1660 is capable of receiving andprocessing signals from satellites or other transponders to generatelocation data regarding the location, direction of travel, and speed ofthe GPS module 1660. GPS is generally understood in the art and hencenot described in detail herein.

A gyro 1664 connects to the bus 1612 to generate and provide orientationdata regarding the orientation of the mobile device 1604. A compass1668, such as a magnetometer, provides directional information to themobile device 1604. An accelerometer 1672, connects to the bus 1612 toprovide information or data regarding shocks or forces experienced bythe mobile device. In one configuration, the accelerometer 1672generates and provides data to the processor 1608 when the mobile deviceexperiences a shock or force greater than a predetermined threshold.This may indicate a fall or accident.

One or more cameras (still, video, or both) 1676 are provided to captureimage data for storage in the memory 1610 and/or for possibletransmission over a wireless or wired link or for viewing at a latertime. The processor 1608 may process image data to perform imagerecognition, such as in the case of, facial detection, item detection,facial recognition, item recognition, or bar/box code reading.

A flasher and/or flashlight 1680 are provided and are processorcontrollable. The flasher or flashlight 1680 may serve as a strobe ortraditional flashlight, and may include an LED. A power managementmodule 1684 interfaces with or monitors the battery 1620 to manage powerconsumption, control battery charging, and provide supply voltages tothe various devices which may require different power requirements.

In addition, the logic flows depicted in the figures do not require theparticular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirableresults. In addition, other steps may be provided, or steps may beeliminated, from the described flows, and other components may be addedto, or removed from, the described systems. Accordingly, otherembodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

It will be appreciated that the above embodiments that have beendescribed in particular detail are merely example or possibleembodiments, and that there are many other combinations, additions, oralternatives that may be included. For example, rewards in the contextof marketing has been referred to throughout, other applications of theabove embodiments include other incentives working internally withinorganizations or other services.

Also, the particular naming of the components, capitalization of terms,the attributes, data structures, or any other programming or structuralaspect is not mandatory or significant, and the mechanisms thatimplement the invention or its features may have different names,formats, or protocols. Further, the system may be implemented via acombination of hardware and software, as described, or entirely inhardware elements. Also, the particular division of functionalitybetween the various system components described herein is merelyexemplary, and not mandatory; functions performed by a single systemcomponent may instead be performed by multiple components, and functionsperformed by multiple components may instead performed by a singlecomponent.

Some portions of above description present features in terms ofalgorithms and symbolic representations of operations on information.These algorithmic descriptions and representations may be used by thoseskilled in the data processing arts to most effectively convey thesubstance of their work to others skilled in the art. These operations,while described functionally or logically, are understood to beimplemented by computer programs. Furthermore, it has also provenconvenient at times, to refer to these arrangements of operations asmodules or by functional names, without loss of generality.

Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from the abovediscussion, it is appreciated that throughout the description,discussions utilizing terms such as “processing” or “computing” or“calculating” or “determining” or “identifying” or “displaying” or“providing” or the like, refer to the action and processes of a computersystem, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulates andtransforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities withinthe computer system memories or registers or other such informationstorage, transmission or display devices.

Based on the foregoing specification, the above-discussed embodiments ofthe invention may be implemented using computer programming orengineering techniques including computer software, firmware, hardwareor any combination or subset thereof. Any such resulting program, havingcomputer-readable and/or computer-executable instructions, may beembodied or provided within one or more computer-readable media, therebymaking a computer program product, i.e., an article of manufacture,according to the discussed embodiments of the invention. The computerreadable media may be, for instance, a fixed (hard) drive, diskette,optical disk, magnetic tape, semiconductor memory such as read-onlymemory (ROM) or flash memory, etc., or any transmitting/receiving mediumsuch as the Internet or other communication network or link. The articleof manufacture containing the computer code may be made and/or used byexecuting the instructions directly from one medium, by copying the codefrom one medium to another medium, or by transmitting the code over anetwork.

While the disclosure has been described in terms of various specificembodiments, it will be recognized that the disclosure can be practicedwith modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.

While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it willbe apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many moreembodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scopeof this invention. In addition, the various features, elements, andembodiments described herein may be claimed or combined in anycombination or arrangement. The described embodiments are to beconsidered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of presenting a dynamic reward to an enduser, the method being carried out on a server based system comprising aprocessor, at least one memory comprising machine-readable instructionsfor execution by the processor, and one or more sensors, the methodcomprising: issuing at the server a uniquely identified dynamic rewardcomprising terms including a number of redemptions, a time period inwhich the reward may be redeemed, and transferability criteria;monitoring the reward to determine whether the reward has been redeemed,and when the reward is redeemed, decreasing the number of redemptionsavailable on the reward; monitoring the reward to determine whether thetime period in which the reward may be redeemed is expired andinvalidating the number of redemptions when the reward is determined tobe expired; monitoring the reward to determine whether the reward thetransferability criteria of the reward have been met, and when thecriteria have been met, transferring the reward from the end user. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein the transferring of the reward comprisestrading the reward for a second, similarly priced reward available forissuance by the server.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein thetransferring of the reward comprises trading the reward with a secondreward issued to a second end user.
 4. The method claim 1, wherein thetransferring of the reward comprises sharing the reward with one or moresecond end users.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the sharing of thereward comprises sharing one or more of the number of redemptions withthe one or more second end users.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein thesharing of the reward comprising duplicating the one or more of thenumber of redemptions with the one or more second end users.
 7. Themethod of claim 6, wherein the duplicating is limited to a predeterminednumber of duplications.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the reward isissued by the server through at least one of email, SMS messaging,Bluetooth, and NFC.
 9. The method of claim 9, further comprisingtransmitting one or more messages to the end user holding the reward.10. The method of claim 9, wherein the one or more messages comprises anotification concerning an expiration date of the reward.
 11. The methodof claim 1, wherein the reward further comprises terms for modifying thereward after the reward is issued, the method further comprising:monitoring the reward and modifying at least one of a value, the numberof redemptions, the time period in which the reward may be redeemed, andthe transferability criteria based on the terms for modifying the rewardbeing satisfied.
 12. The method according to claim 12, wherein the termsfor modifying the reward include data from the one or more sensors beingwithin a predetermined threshold.
 13. The method according to claim 12,wherein the terms for modifying the reward may include one or moreinputs provided by the end user.
 14. The method according to claim 13,wherein the inputs provided by the end user comprise at least one of aresponse to a question presented by the server, a result of a gameplayed by the user via a presentation device, and an indication to sharethe reward.
 15. An incentive based campaign management systemcomprising: a server comprising a processor and at least one memory, theserver being configured to present application programming interfaces toa client presentation device, the application programming interfacesincluding tools to manage one or more incentive based campaigns; a rulesdatabase comprising one or more memories comprising modules forincluding in an incentive based campaign; and a historical systemsdatabase comprising one or more memories storing historical outcomes ofincentive based campaigns; the server storing program instructions whichwhen executed cause the server to: receive input from a clientpresentation device via one of the application programming interfaces tocreate a set of campaigns including one or more incentives; receive arequest from an end user to access the one or more campaigns; receivedata from one or more environmental and demographic sensors concerningan environment and a demographic of the end user; determining whetherany of the one or more campaigns meets predetermined environmental anddemographic thresholds; and when the environmental and demographicthresholds are met, presenting a campaign to the end user via an enduser presentation device.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the clientpresentation device adds one or more of a game, a question, a reward,and third party embedded content stored on a third party data sourcedatabase via the application programming interfaces.
 17. The system ofclaim 16, wherein the server presents the reward to the end userpresentation device upon receiving at least one of completion of thegame and answering of the question from the end user presentationdevice.
 18. The system of claim 15, wherein the client presentationdevice and the end user presentation device comprise at least one of akiosk, personal computer, mobile computing device, point of sale system,and digital signage.
 19. An incentive based campaign management systemcomprising: a server comprising a processor and at least one memory, theserver being configured to present application programming interfaces toa client presentation device, the application programming interfacesincluding tools to manage one or more dynamic rewards; a rules databasecomprising one or more memories comprising modules for including in thedynamic rewards; and a historical systems database comprising one ormore memories storing historical outcomes of redemptions of dynamicrewards; the server storing program instructions which when executedcause the server to: receive input from a client presentation device viaone of the application programming interfaces to create a set of dynamicrewards; receive a request from an end user to access one or moredynamic rewards of the set of dynamic rewards; receive data from one ormore environmental and demographic sensors concerning an environment anda demographic of the end user; determining whether any of the one ormore dynamic rewards meets predetermined environmental and demographicthresholds; determining a hierarchy of dynamic rewards based on anoptimal redemption rate; and when the environmental and demographicthresholds are met, presenting a campaign to the end user via an enduser presentation device.
 20. The system according to claim 19, whereinthe hierarchy is determined by at least of one a time of day, a time ofweek, a month, a current temperature, a likely demographic of a detecteduser, a number of potential detected users, an amount of traffic in anearby area, and past performance of dynamic rewards in similarconditions.